Get to Know HFC: Dr. Emily Pawlowski inspires the next generation of nurses
HFC nursing instructor Emily Pawlowski, who has taught at HFC for nearly 7 years, recently earned her doctorate in nursing practice.
“The reasons I pursued my DNP are versatility, marketability, profitability, and because I love to learn,” said Pawlowski.
Making a patient’s day better
The youngest of two, Pawlowski was born in Southfield, but raised in Columbia, SC. She returned to Michigan in 2001. She lives in Livonia with her fiancé, four sons, three cats, two dogs, and an axolotl (a type of salamander).
Pawlowski graduated from Columbia High School in Columbia, SC. A two-time alumna of the Wayne County Community College District, Pawlowski graduated summa cum laude in general studies and magna cum laude in nursing. Transferring to the University of Michigan in Flint, she earned her bachelor’s degree, also magna cum laude, in nursing.
Pawlowski later earned her master’s degree in clinical nursing systems leadership from the University of Arizona. In late 2025, she earned her DNP from Northern Kentucky University. Her scholarly project was titled “Reducing Psychiatric Inpatient Falls.” She has been a Registered Nurse through the State of Michigan since 2014.
During her career, Pawlowski has worked at:
- Veterans Affairs Health Care in Ann Arbor
- Michigan Medicine at U-M in Ann Arbor
- Henry Ford Health System in Detroit
- St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia
- Havenwyck Hospital in Auburn Hills
For several years, Pawlowski has served as a legal nurse consultant for Olson Law Offices in Plymouth. In this role, she:
- Reviewed and analyzed medical records to interpret their relevance to a case.
- Developed reports and chronologies to support case analyses.
- Offered medical information to legal entities.
“I approach nursing as I do everything else – ‘How can I make this person's day better?’” she explained. “That doesn't look the same for everyone or even for the same person in different situations, but the approach is the same, and the result is the best part of nursing for me.”
Teaching her students to think like a nurse
Since 2019, Pawlowski has taught nursing at HFC, where she has been a full-time faculty member since 2022. Pawlowski reports to HFC Director of Nursing Trina Moore.
“Congratulations to Emily! Completing a DNP while serving as a nursing faculty member is a testament to her dedication, perseverance, and passion for advancing the profession. Our students truly benefit from this level of expertise and leadership,” said Moore. “This is a tremendous milestone for both Emily and our Nursing program. A DNP-prepared educator brings invaluable clinical expertise and leadership that directly enhances student learning.”
Pawlowski’s duties include:
- Developing, implementing, and continuously reviewing course and clinical materials aligned with course, program, and student learning outcomes to support diverse learning styles, promote critical thinking and clinical judgment, and facilitate student success.
- Evaluating student learning using multiple data sources.
- Collaborating with fellow nursing instructors to meet program and student needs.
- Mentoring readmitted nursing students.
“I always wanted to teach,” recalled Pawlowski. “When I was little, I used to line up my stuffed animals to be my students and made lesson plans for them. I initially wanted to be a high school math teacher before I went into nursing. I went into nursing because of the exceptional care I received from nurses after the birth of my first child.”
Pawlowski was attracted to the College because its renowned Nursing program provides a strong clinical focus while remaining affordable.
“The best parts of teaching at HFC are my supportive teaching partners, seeing my students succeed, and making a difference in my students’ lives,” said Pawlowski. “I enjoy watching nursing students grow, seeing them shed some of the nerves, becoming comfortable with patient care, and starting to think like a nurse.”